Tamil Nadu Diabetes Surge Signals National Public Health Emergency

 



India is facing a rapidly intensifying diabetes epidemic, with Tamil Nadu emerging as a major hotspot. Recent evidence highlights a sharp rise in both diabetes and prediabetes, signalling deep-rooted lifestyle and dietary challenges. Experts warn that without urgent policy and behavioural interventions, the burden of non-communicable diseases could overwhelm health systems.

Alarming Rise in Diabetes and Prediabetes

India currently has around 101 million people living with diabetes and nearly 136 million with prediabetes. Tamil Nadu shows one of the steepest increases. According to the ICMR–INDIAB study, diabetes prevalence among adults above 20 years in the state rose from 11.1% in 2008–2010 to 22.7% in 2022–2023, a 104% increase. Prediabetes nearly doubled from 12.2% to 24.8% during the same period. This places nearly 12 million people in Tamil Nadu with diabetes, with another 10 million at high risk of developing it within a few years.

Rural Areas Catching Up Fast

The diabetes epidemic is no longer confined to cities. Rural Tamil Nadu recorded an increase in diabetes prevalence from 8.3% to 18.3%, marking a 120% rise. This faster rural growth reflects changing lifestyles, reduced physical activity, and dietary transitions even outside urban centres. The rapid progression from prediabetes to diabetes, often within four years, suggests the crisis is far from peaking.

Dietary Patterns Driving the Epidemic

Environmental and lifestyle factors dominate over genetics in driving diabetes. The ICMR–INDIAB findings show that carbohydrates account for about 65% of calorie intake in Tamil Nadu, largely from polished white rice with a high glycaemic index. Protein intake remains low at around 10%, well below recommended levels. Research by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation links excess white rice consumption to diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and fatty liver disease.

#Diabetes 
#DiabetesAwareness
#Type1Diabetes
#Type2Diabetes
#BloodSugar
#InsulinResistance
#GlucoseMetabolism
#Endocrinology
#ChronicDisease
#HealthyLifestyle

World Cell Biologist Awards: 

Website Link : cellbiologist.org 

Follow Us On : 
Tumblr ; tumblr.ccom/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Uttrakhand Forest Department Establishes Mahabharata Vatika

Image
  The Uttarakhand Forest Department has established two gardens in Haldwani, showcasing plant species referenced in ancient Indian epics. These gardens, named Ramayana Vatika and Mahabharata Vatika, aim to highlight the ecological wisdom embedded in these texts. Mahabharata Vatika Overview Mahabharata Vatika spans one acre and features 37 plant species mentioned in the epic. Chief Conservator of Forests Sanjeev Chaturvedi emphasised the research behind selecting these species. The garden features important plant species such as: Ecological Significance The garden puts stress on the importance of forests as depicted in the Mahabharata. It references the Vana Parva, which discusses tree planting and wildlife conservation . The epic highlights the mutual dependence of tigers and forests, a concept vital to contemporary conservation efforts. Cultural Connections Chaturvedi brought into light that the Mahabharata teaches the spiritual significance of planting trees. He mentioned Bhish...
Read more

CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer

Image
  India has recently made strides in cancer treatment with the introduction of CAR T-cell therapy . The results from the first clinical trials have been published in The Lancet, showcasing a remarkable success rate. This therapy is a game changer for patients with blood cancers. It offers hope to those who have exhausted other treatment options. What is CAR T-Cell Therapy? CAR T-cell therapy, or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, is an innovative treatment that harnesses the body’s immune system. It trains T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells. This therapy is specifically designed for certain blood cancers. It is particularly beneficial for patients whose cancer has relapsed or failed to respond to standard treatments. Clinical Trial The clinical trials reported a response rate of nearly 73%. This indicates that number of patients benefited from the treatment. The trials also provided critical data on survival rates for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and l...
Read more

PEN-Plus Strategy Enhances NCD Care in Africa

Image
  In recent years, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has escalated in the WHO African Region. A report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa assessed the PEN-Plus approach that aims to decentralise critical health services for severe NCDs. Since its adoption, twenty African countries have improved access to essential care, addressing public health threat. About Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) NCDs are chronic diseases that are not caused by infectious agents. They progress slowly and result from a mix of genetic, environmental, and behavioural factors. Common NCDs include heart disease, diabetes , and cancers. Globally, NCDs account for 71% of deaths. In Africa, they represent portion of mortality, ranging from 27% to 88%. The PEN-Plus Approach The PEN-Plus model complements the WHO’s Package of Essential Non-communicable Disease interventions. It focuses on managing severe NCDs at the primary healthcare level. Originally developed in Rwanda, PEN-Plu...
Read more